Alternative Names Toilet Block Development; Captain's Cabin
Site Type BUILDING, CEMETERY, MIDDEN
Canmore ID 257266
Site Number NT67NE 473
NGR NT 67807 79116
Council EAST LOTHIAN
Parish DUNBAR
Former Region LOTHIAN
Former District EAST LOTHIAN
Former County EAST LOTHIAN
Datum OSGB36 - NGR

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Notes and Activities

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Archaeological Notes

NT67NE 473 6780 7911

Excavation in advance of the contruction of a public toilet block identified a well-stratified series of archaeological deposits potentially dating from as early as the Iron Age and continuing through the Dark Ages and into the early medieval period. the earliest feature identified consisted of a linear cut feature which is, as yet, undated but which is likely to represent a ditch related to the Iron Age promontory fort previously identifed on the headland. A portion of a possible Dark Age structure of likely industrial function overlay the ditch. Most of the archaeology identified relates to a cemetery of likely early medieval date. A total of 74 inhumations were excavated; the majority of skeletons (72%) were adult, with juveniles representing 16% of the population and infants 12%. A small number of skeletons were contained within coffins constructed of sandstone slabs. The majority, however, are likely to have been buried in shrouds, and most were buried with a stone cushion arrangement for the heads.
Sponsor: East Lothian Council.

1998	EXCAVATION

Notes Excavation in advance of the contruction of a public toilet block identified a well-stratified series of archaeological deposits potentially dating from as early as the Iron Age and continuing through the Dark Ages and into the early medieval period. the earliest feature identified consisted of a linear cut feature which is, as yet, undated but which is likely to represent a ditch related to the Iron Age promontory fort previously identifed on the headland. A portion of a possible Dark Age structure of likely industrial function overlay the ditch. Most of the archaeology identified relates to a cemetery of likely early medieval date. A total of 74 inhumations were excavated; the majority of skeletons (72%) were adult, with juveniles representing 16% of the population and infants 12%. A small number of skeletons were contained within coffins constructed of sandstone slabs. The majority, however, are likely to have been buried in shrouds, and most were buried with a stone cushion arrangement for the heads.
Sponsor: East Lothian Council.

Further details

 

Books and References

Moloney, C (1998d) 'Castle Park, Dunbar (Dunbar parish), multi-period activity', Discovery Excav Scot
Page(s): 32

Moloney, C (2001c) 'New evidence for the origins and evolution of Dunbar: excavations at the Captain's Cabin, Castle Park, Dunbar, East Lothian', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol.131
Page(s): 283-317

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